What's the safer route for me, the new Ideal Implant or the "Gummy Bear" implants?

Question

I am hearing great feedback with both of these implants. I have yet to hear downsides to either. I realize both are freely new. I just want the healthiest alternative that still gives a natural look at feel.

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. Personally, I prefer Ideal Structured Saline Implants over "Gummy Bear" implants due to ongoing concerns about the textured surface of the Gummy Bear implant and the need to get MRI or Ultrasound study every several years to check for leakage or rupture. If a saline implant leaks, your body safely absorbs the saline and you only need to look in the mirror to know there is a leak. With the Ideal Implants, they have a lower leakage rate than any other implant on the market, according to the FDA data. I have been using saline and silicone gel implants for many years, and think the Ideal Implant is a great new option for patients to consider. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Good day! For your guidance, the Ideal Implant™ is recently FDA approved and is now being offered at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery Newport Beach. This type of implant was created for women who desire a more natural feeling implant than traditional saline implants but are not comfortable having silicone implants in their body. The unique structure of the Ideal Implant allows for a similar look and feel as silicone with the safety of saline. It requires no monitoring, has no known association with any health conditions and has the lowest rate of rupture of any implant.
Find a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience with ideal implant and discuss realistic goals and expectations. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Natural feel is not the only thing women care about. The FDA approved intact silicone gel implants as safe. However, if a gel implant ruptures the implant and any gel should be removed including the surrounding capsule (capsulectomy). IDEAL® IMPLANT offers women natural feel without the risk of silent rupture. Women value the advantages of IDEAL® IMPLANT over silicone gel:
Rupture Advantages
No silent rupturesSaline absorbed, free Silicone Gel remainsNo MRI needed to detect rupturesLook in the mirror to know implants are intactEasy to remove and replaced if rupturedFiller Advantages
Only saline inside for peace of mindSafety of salineNo silicone gel in the bodyClinical Advantages
Youthful shape/contourLower capsule contracture rateHigher rupture strengthLow rupture rate

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Both are safe. The Gummy Bear implants are technically the Sientra implants and have been around for probably 10 years. They are cohesive silicone gel and feel very natural. The Ideal Implants are newer, are FDA approved and were released for use about one year ago (after a 5 year study period). They are structured saline implants and give a feel very similar to gel but without the gel to have to deal with.

David F. Pratt, MD · Answer

“Gummy Bear” implants are highly cohesive Silicone gel implants, meaning that they are essentially solid molds of a rubbery type material, which in my opinion produces a breast with a consistency that is firmer than normal breast tissue.  Since these are Silicone implants, the FDA recommends rupture surveillance every 2 years with MRI exams to monitor for “silent rupture” of the implant.  This the main drawback of the gel implants.  “Gummy Bear” implants require a larger incision and can be fractured during implantation if a small incision is used. 
The Ideal Implant is a new revolutionary design in breast implants, that consists of a “structured” design which gives increased integrity of the anterior shell. This feature allows the implant to resist folding, rippling and caving, which are more prominent with traditional saline breast implants.  These new implants have a consistency that is similar to Silicone gel implants, however, because they are filled with saline, they do not require rupture surveillance. In the unlikely event that the Ideal Implants do rupture, only harmless saline solution is released and absorbed by the body with no adverse consequences.
I hope that I have answered your questions satisfactorily.  Good Luck!

Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It's difficult to give exact recommendations without photos or a consultation as each person's anatomy is different and implants should be chosen based on what is best for that particular candidate. Generally speaking, Ideal Implants are filled with saline, so if there is a rupture, the saline will safely absorb into the body and the patient will know there has been a rupture. Gummy bear implants are made of silicone and usually feel more natural than traditional saline implants. You need to have an MRI every three years to make sure that there is not a rupture as you will not be able to tell. Both are very safe and have a very low chance of rupture. The nice thing about Ideal Implants is that they feel more like silicone implants than traditional saline implants so many patients opt for this option. Regardless, make sure you're working with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which choice will meet your specific needs and goals.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD · Answer

Dear Packer23,

Both options are good ones. The Ideal implant is an excellent choice as it combines virtually all of the softness and natural feel of silicone with a saline-filled implant made with internal chambers and baffles that control the flow of saline. They do not show rippling like the old single-lumen saline implants, and they have a lower contracture rate and rupture rate than the silicone implants. In addition, the patient always has the peace of mind of confirming her implants are intact simply by looking in the mirror whereas a silent rupture of a silicone implant requires an MRI to detect.

I hope this has been helpful to you. You can check the Ideal implant website to learn more.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD

What's the safer route for me, the new Ideal Implant or the "Gummy Bear" implants?

Answers (7)

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